Updates to GC Pit enhance technology features

If you’ve walked through Graham Center recently, you may have noticed things look a little different around the “GC Pit.”

Sanyo Mathew, senior director of Graham Center, says the area is undergoing a $250,000 renovation that will update technology features to better support the needs of events and presentations.

“The renovation is an initiative of our Student Government Association leadership to enhance the Pit as a state-of-the-art venue and to support the programming needs of the FIU community,” Mathew says.

The renovation will include new speakers, a video wall, new LED and stage lights, and wood paneling for a new look and noise reduction properties.

Jennifer Socarras, a sophomore psychology major, is one of many students who table in GC to promote their club. As a member of the Miami Medical Team, Socarras is trying to raise money for mission trips to Haiti and New Orleans. She understands how important it is to get the word out there to other students.

“We need to do a lot of fundraising because the trips are very expensive,” she explains.

When she hears about the renovations taking place to the Pit, she gets excited.

“I think that’s awesome,” she exclaims. “The more they do with technology, the better it’s going to be for the students. The visuals are a very important part when we’re doing events and there are a lot of events that go on in there.”

Home to 500 events per year, the Pit is the center of student activity at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Everything from Homecoming events, Football pep rallies, Student Government Association election announcements and Hispanic heritage month events take place here.

“I’ve seen people biking. I’ve seen people fighting. I’ve seen dancing,” Socarras says.“So work on that floor because a lot goes on in there!”

The completion date for the project is set for the end of January 2016. And don’t worry, Greeks – the banners will remain!